March just BLEW by...

I cannot believe the month of March is just about over.  It does not seem like it should be the last nine weeks, yet I know it is.  Along with the last nine weeks comes the always feared OAA.  However, it does not need to be scary for anyone.  It is a test where we want them to show their best work.  They definitely need to take it serious because we want them to pour out all that 'stuff' we have taught them throughout this school year.  It has been a great year so far and I do not expect anything less than their hard work to shine through... by the way where is the sun?  Shouldn't it be shining through as well?
If you need any practice for the OAA, go to my school website- I have some links there.
Happy Easter everyone!

Mermaid....

Bailey, Chris, Jeremy, and Zachary wrote this summary of what they think this song is about.  They sang two times through for fluency and then checked comprehension...

Here comes the sun... maybe?

In 3rd grade LA we are working on problem and solution... They are doing a great job of understanding the conflict and how it was resolved or fixed.  This is an important skill to have when reading.
In math, we have been working on fractions and measurement.  The kids like fractions but they can be difficult at first.  There are a lot of fun fraction activities you can do at home with candy, buttons, and any other items you have laying around the house.  These items can represent parts of a whole or groups of a number.
In 4th grade language arts we are finishing up theme.  This is what the author wants the reader to learn or understand from their piece of work.  Sometimes the theme is stated, they tell us, or it is implied- we have to figure it out.  You can ask them questions about their favorite books, t.v. shows, movies, songs, etc.
In math we are finishing up Perimeter, Area, and Volume.  It is a life skill for our kiddos, especially carpenters or those going into science professions.  Perimeter is the fence- add all sides together, Area is like the rug inside a room- length x width, and volume is what we fill it up with (length x width x height).... these are just some reminders for the kids to help them recall which one is which.
Keep practicing those math facts!!!

Learning Everyday!

Even with all the snow, we have really been able to get a lot accomplished.  Our 3rd graders are working on main idea and details.  We have also practiced a lot on homophones, words that sound the same.  In math, 3rd graders are doing geometry and also working on those multiplication facts everyday... I tell them we are math-magicians.
In 4th grade we are working on main idea and details as well.  We also started book clubs, which I think I love just as much as the kids do.  We will be doing a book creator project with Mrs. Ireland next week.  In math, we took our division test.  The kids have had a lot of fun with division: our songs, dancing and games.
They will definitely use all of these skills in the real world so just keep practicing them at home!
Have a great weekend!

SNOW!

With all of this snow it has been hard for the kids to maintain focus.  We are working on many new and exciting indicators!
In 3rd grade we are working on contractions, homonyms and how to identify those.  In math we continue to work on multiplication in different ways.
In 4th grade we are working on prefixes and suffixes... shifting into summary with main idea and details.  In math we are starting division....
The kids are doing great!  We had great results on our STAR screeners.  Our kiddos are really growing.  Just keep on reading with them and practicing their math facts.  With these important foundation pieces they can do anything!  Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Reading Class

Taking a really cool class with Ms. Sue Peyton through Muskingum University.  She emphasizes on the importance of making kids love reading!  It makes so much sense... We were also told how blessed we were to have such good administration to do the things we do at our school.  I agree!  Thank you to Mr. Joel Moore and RVLSD for letting us TEACH!

A new way to look at things....

How our kiddos learn is so much different than it use to be... therefore, how we teach needs to be a little different than it use to be....
http://edudemic.com/2012/12/30-surprising-and-controversial-ways-students-learn/